Lifting device for ice trays



April 1935 E. E. GROVER 1,997,416

LIFTING DEVICE FOR ICE TRAYS Filed March 1, 1934 Q i r,

n I lining/A INVENTOR ELLIOTT E.GROVEF? BY 7%4 f ATT EY Patented 91, 1935 PATENT GP or.

LIFTING DEVICE FOR ICE TRAYS Elliott E. Grover, Springfield, Masa, assignor to Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Com- Da y, East Pittsburgh 4 Pennsylvania Pa., a corporation of I a Application March 1, 1934, Se .No. 713,444 3 Claims. i (01. 254-131) My invention relates to refrigeration apparatus and particularly to a device for breaking the ice bond between an ice tray and a portion of a cooling unit which supports the ice tray in me- 5 chanical refrigeration apparatus.

Such devices have been used heretofore, and

have been constructed by permanently attaching a leverage device to the ice tray or cooling unit. With such an arrangement, however, a leverage device must be provided for each ice tray.

My invention contemplates the use of a detachable lifting device for breaking the bond between an ice tray and the cooling unit, or a shelf thereof, in a mechanical refrigerator, so that only one device need be used in each refrigerator regardless of the number of trays in the refrigerator. I also provide a device which is adjustable so that ice trays of various sizes'may be removed from the cooling unit. Furthermore, I so construct the lifting device that portions thereof may perform several combined functions.

It is an object of my invention to provide a detachable device for breaking the ice bond between one or more ice trays and the cooling unit of mechanical refrigeration apparatus.

It is another object of my invention to provide a device for breaking the ice bond between an ice tray and cooling unit of mechanical refrigeration apparatus, which device is adjustable so that it may be used with different sized ice trays.

It is a further object of my invention to provide description and claims, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of an ice tray supported by a cooling unit, and shows my device in a position operable to break the ice bond between the ice tray and cooling unit;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 3 is a view of my device as utilized in removing a crown cap from a bottle;

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the combined cap remover, and lifting member; and

Fig.5 is a view of my device suspended on a shelf of a refrigerator cabinet.

Referring specifically to the drawing for a detailed description of my invention, numeral l designates a portion of a cooling unit of a mechanical refrigerator which portion provides a shelf for supporting an ice tray or pan member 2 in heat-exchanging relation with the cooling unit I, for the purpose of freezing water therein. My lifting device comprises a leverage member 3 and a lifting member 4 preferably pivoted at 5 to the leverage member 3. A handle portion 9 is provided at an end of the leverage member 3. The leverage member 3 is provided with a turned portion at 6 for a purpose hereinafter described. The leverage member 3 is provided with flange portions 3a. for the purpose of stiffening the handle portion 9, thus forming a rigid web structure. The lifting member 4 is formed preferably of' bar stock in the shape of a conventional loop crown cap opener, extruded portions 1 being provided on the bar for engaging the under side of a bottle cap, as shown in Fig. 3.

The loop may also be conveniently used to suspend the lifting device froma suitable support.

rests on the shelf member I, while the turned ber 3 against the ice tray 2, thus breaking the tray from the shelf I. The turned portion 6' of the leverage member 3 provides a rolling fulcrum on the ice tray 2 while the device is being used to remove the ice tray, thus insuring free operation of the device.

. The device is adjustable to ice trays of various heights since the relative angular position of the members 3 and 4 may be varied considerably and still be operated to break the ice bond between the tray and the shelf.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have provided a device for breaking an ice bond between ice trays and the shelf portions of a mechanical refrigerator cooling unit, only one of the devices being necessary for use with any number of trays, since the device is detachable. Furthermore, the device is adjustable for use with different sized trays and is provided with a combined lifting member and bottle opener. Provision is alsomade for suspending the device either from the bottle opener or from the handle member.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications, without departing'from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as, are imposed by the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is: I J 1. In apparatus of the character and for the purposes described, a lever having spaced cars at one side thereof, a loop member disposed at one side of the lever and having closely spaced disposed as to include an obtuse angle at the side of the lever opposite to the loop member and said engaging portion, being wider than the overall width of the loop in the direction away from the pivot axis so as to engage the loop in one position thereof. r

2. In apparatus of the character and for the purposes described, a metalliclever comprising a web portion and flange portions extending 'substantially for the length of the web portion to provide a relatively light and stiff lever structure, said flange portions having a pair of aligned openings therein, and a metallic loop member having closely spaced portions extending between the flanges and joined to outwardly extending pivots fitting said opening, said loop member includinga straight portion arranged parallel to the pivot axis and connected by side portions to said closely spaced portion, said side portions curving outwardly from the ends of the straight portion and inwardly toward the closely a, spaced portions, said lever having an engaging portion at one side of the pivotal connection and a handle portion at the other side, said engaging and handle portions being relatively so disposed as to include an obtuse angle at the side of the lever opposite to the loop member, and said engaging portion being wider than the overall width of the loop in the direction away from the pivot axis so as to engage the "loop in one position thereof. I

3. In apparatusof the character and for the purposes described,a lever having spaced ears at one side thereof, a loop member disposed at one side of the lever and having closely spaced portions disposed between the ears, and means providing pivotal connection between said ears and said closely spaced portions, said loop member including a straight portion arranged parallel to the pivot axis and connected by side portions to said closely spaced portions, said side portions curving outwardly from the ends of the straight portion and inwardly toward the closely spaced portions, said lever having an engaging portion at one side of the pivotal connection and a handle portion at the other side, said engaging portion being wider than the overall width of the loop in the direction away from the pivot axis so as to engage the loop in one position thereof.

ELLIOTT E. GROVER. 

